Bwin kicking Canadian players out of the long-lasting tournament?

[Bagalya]

I am a Canadian player registered at Bwin casino. This morning I got the following email from Bwin:

We regret to inform you that, due to the introduction of new regulations, operations of the Download Casino will cease as of 24.09.2010. There is good news, though! You can continue to enjoy your favourite games as normal in the bwin Instant Play Casino. And to make the transition even sweeter, we'll be offering you a 100% Welcome Bonus. Get ready to switch now.

They may have some good reasons behind this move or some circumstances beyond their control. But they also have this BlackJack Grand Prix tournament

https://casino.bwin.com/public.aspx?...=C_36676_1_2.4

which started in March. Since then 14 tours were played on 14 different weekends. Entree fees were paid, time was spent, points were gained. And now, with just less then 2 months and 5 tours remaining before the 50,000 euro prize pool is shared, they are kicking me from the race. Effectively. Because it can only be played from within downloaded casino.

Their phone support is clueless. Emails remain unanswered or answers are not helpful. Their CasinoMeister representative's account is dormant, although bwin is still accredited here.

Time is running out, as the next Tour is this Sunday, September 26th. What should I do? Any help is appreciated.

[spiderlegz]

Its the software providers (Boss Media) decision. This thread may be helpful:http://www.casinomeister.com/forums/...ng-canada.html

Hopefully bwin could work something out for you, if not that really sucks.

Edit: Boss seems to be GTECH G2 now

[jetset]

That seems to be the only logical explanation, because why would 'new regulations' in Canada ban download but not instant play online casino action?

Boss Media has been part of GTechG2 for a while now, along with St Minver, Dynamite Idea and Finsoft.

[vinylweatherman]

That seems to be the only logical explanation, because why would 'new regulations' in Canada ban download but not instant play online casino action?

Boss Media has been part of GTechG2 for a while now, along with St Minver, Dynamite Idea and Finsoft.

This seems yet again a case of a company LYING to deflect blame away from itself for decisions it makes that "screw" their customers.

Red Flush were running a tournament during the summer, and suddenly announced it would finish early because of "unforseen circumstances". It turned out that these "unforseen circumstances" were MGS deciding to transfer all USA based players to new software. Red Flush reacted to ensure that ALL players had a chance to complete the tournament.

Bwin could easily do the same, ending the tournement early so that ALL players stand a fair chance of getting the top prize.

They could also enable play in the "instant" casino to count towards the tournament.

I know of no "regulations" anywhere that ban play in a download casino, yet allow it in a browser. Lawmakers target ALL forms of casino gambling in any regulations they pass.

The regulations passed in the US, and those that exist in Canada, have never differentiated between non-download and download casinos. In the USA, it is the wore act & UIGEA, and in Canada it seems to be the case that although it is not specifically illegal, it is not specifically LEGAL either, so there exists a "grey area" that causes different operators to make their OWN DECISIONS as to whether or not they will serve the Canadian market.

[Vetal]

As for today, I keep 3rd position in this tournament. But I think I got nothing because I'm Canadian.
As far as I got an email from bwin I start writing and calling theme. By phone you can reach only 2 girls (that's not a big stuff for a company like bwin) who even don't know what kind of tournament they have. The only answer you can get from CS: "...we don't know, we send this information to appropriate department..." Quality of connection is poor, you need to repeat one and the same thing again and again.
Also I sent 4 emails for 2 days. Guess what. No reply. But I got 2 or 3 emails from bwin with spam.
Next tournament is 23-26 Sep. Have no idea what to do.

[Jasminebed]

There are at least two players affected by this issue. Might I suggest you both PAB? Seems to be beating your head against a brick wall currently.

If BWin is unable to permit you to continue to play, there must be some compensation awarded for tournaments that required entry fees.

IMO this compensation should not be limited to a return of the entry fee, but some sort of compensation based on your protential winnings.

The PAB is there to decide a fair outcome, and in this case I believe Maxd could help negotiate something fair for all parties.

It is speculation on my part, but I suspect that some of the "regulations" are actually related to providing or bidding on government contracts for the online casino in BC and the upcoming one for Ontario.

[Vetal]

I got lucky to find someone in bwin who does understand anything in that tournament. The main concern the bwin has now (I hope) what would be fair to kick out all Canadian players with nothing or to split pot right now. As I understand they think it would be more fair to complete tournament because they think it would be fair to all others but Canadians. Opposite to finish up a tournament right now would be fair to Canadians but all others.

But I found that according to Tournament Terms & Conditions it would be fair enough to finish up it right now:
https://www.bwin.com/epage.aspx?aid=34213

The type and dates of the promotion are subject to change or revocation at any time without notification of reason. Should the promotion be ended prematurely, the prize pool for the overall rankings will be calculated based on the number of “Blackjack Grand Prix – EUR 3,000 Guaranteed” tournaments already completed, e.g. if 50% of the tournaments have already been completed, the prize money for the overall rankings will be EUR 25,000.

[Bagalya]

Weird things are going on. They did allow me to play this weekend (Tour number 15). I gained another 25 points. But there was no email, no phone calls, no explanation. I just played as usual. Old emails still not answered. The only thing I got from them was another advertisement, which looked pretty generic.

Vetal, were you able to play too? Thanks a lot for finding this clause in the terms, it is very encouraging.

Jasminebed, thanks a lot for your input too. Somehow I thought one needs to have a certain number of posts here before being allowed to PAB. Is it not true? And who is Maxd?

SUMMARY: 15 out of 19 tours played, 4 remaining, next tour is scheduled October 10th, status of Canadian players still uncertain. I suggest that Bwin either postpones download casino closure for Canadians OR ends the tournament prematurely for all players and pays out.

[Vetal]

Hi,
Same here. No new information from bwin. A lot of unanswered emails.
I've been able to play Tur #15. And it was 26 of Sep. Looks like all other BossMedia casinos also available to Canadians. The only new information I have that after Tur # 15 I'm the 2nd. And it would be sick to loose E10,000 with no chance to protect my results.
It's like driving blind. Never know when you hit an obstacle.

[Jasminebed]

No minimum number of posts to PAB. Maxd is the PAB manager.

Here's a link to the FAQs http://www.casinomeister.com/forums/...?faq=cmfaq_pab

Please read them carefully. You might want to take some screenshots of stuff like the leader boards as well.

I would private message the BWin rep. Don't worry about the account showing dormant, most of them get an email alert to let them know there is a message for them.

Glad you guys were able to play this weekend.